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Ferrari has issued an official recall for its 458 Italia following a spate of fires that destroyed a handful of cars.

Speaking to TopGear.com, a Ferrari spokesman said the company had investigated the five reported incidents of spontaneous fires in the 458, and traced the problem to materials in the wheel arch lining and heat shield.

According to Ferrari, the glue securing the wheel arch lining and heat shield can melt and deform when under high operating temperatures. When this comes into contact with the exhaust, "the glue can smoke and the wheel arch liner can ignite".

Ferrari has notified all 458 owners informing them of the fix - which takes around half a day - and involves securing the wheel arch liner with bolts and screws instead of glue. All future 458 Italias will be built in this way.

The spokesman confirmed "1,248 Ferrari 458 Italias have been recalled worldwide, with approximately 50 in the UK".

The five "acknowledged" 458s totally destroyed by fire will be replaced, Ferrari said, "at no cost to the client".